Charleston South Carolina, Day 1 and 2

I love Charleston.  Was here in 1989 and only remember the date because the tour guides all mention that was the year of Hurricane Hugo.  Our AAMA Conference left town the day before Hugo hit and devastated the city.  So great to see that it has rebuilt very nicely. 

We don't usually like KOA campgrounds but Fantasy RV Tours choose one in Mt. Pleasant to stay in.  It is very nice, right on a lake that apparently holds alligators and who knows what else.  Warned not to take night time walks, especially with dogs. However, the sunset when we returned from touring last night was beautiful.

We took a carriage ride though the streets of old Charleston, the houses and old buildings are so pretty.  Charleston has very strict reconstruction laws, everything must be rebuilt to it's old appearance.  Our carriage was drawn by two mules who did a very good job with about 14 people aboard ! !

The guide told us that she feels that Charleston is trying to get rid of the horse and carriages by levying all kinds of charges to make it impossible for them to make money.  She totally understands that the tourists are what gets the city going financially.  This business welcomes all the visitors.

That is the slave quarters straight back behind this house on the right.

A lot of these old houses have front doors at this end of the patio.  If closed you would not enter as the homeowner was saying no visitors today.  Only enter and knock on the inside door if the outside door was left open to welcome you in.

Dinner at the Noisy Oyster !  Very good~~

This is the entry to the Market Place. Bought sweetgrass baskets here.  Expensive but very authentic....

Today started with a tour of the decommissioned aircraft carrier The Yorktown. There was a Medal of Honor Museum on board also. Our lunch was in the CPO mess. I bet our lunch was better than the soldiers got back in the day. This morning brought back lots of memories for Ken of his Navy days ! ! 

Then we visited the beautiful, working plantation Boone Hall.  These oak trees on the entry are about 250 years old. There was one tree down by the river that was 650 years old. 

This is the cotton gin that is being reconstructed.

Pictures were not allowed in this plantation house or any other that we have visited.  So many antiques that could be ruined.

The gardens were absolutely beautiful like summer at home and the whole house had pumpkins and gourds decorating every space available as well as this bird bath on the front porch.              

Slave cabins still stand on the property as educational centers.

 Tomorrow we head to Savannah, sure hope our mail is there ! ! !